Born within a goal-kick of Goodison Park, Jonjoe Kenny is undoubtedly the most homegrown of Everton’s Under-20s World Cup heroes - and the youngster’s considerable progress could fulfil a dual role for Ronald Koeman’s side next season.

The Blues are deeply-rooted in the community surrounding their home for the past 125 years and are determined to leave a lasting legacy in the area when they move to their proposed new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.

Kenny, who hails from Kirkdale, is the living embodiment of Everton’s heartland, stretching out from the environs of County Road.

In an interview with the ECHO earlier this season, he spoke about how he wasn’t just with the Blues to make up the numbers and was determined to earn more first team chances.

He said: “Playing in front of a lot of people, it’s over the road from mine so to play here it’s a dream come true and I want more of that experience.”

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Jonjoe Kenny reacts after missing a shot on goal during the FIFA U-20 World Cup semi final

"Over the road from mine’ – how many professional footballers can say that?

With serious doubts persisting over Wavertree-born Ross Barkley’s Everton future, having just one year remaining on his current contract and Koeman threatening to sell him if he doesn’t pen a new deal, the Scouse heartbeat within the side could see its numbers depleted next term.

The superb Leighton Baines from Kirkby will this summer mark a decade’s service at Goodison and while he continues to be a solid Premier League performer, he is perhaps entering his autumn years as a professional footballer.

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The Blues dressing room has always relied on having a few local accents within its wall – and we’re not talking about Kevin Mirallas shouting “chicken” in faux Liverpudlian tones towards Tom Davies either – and such a presence helps team-mates from other parts of the British Isles, and these days the world, understand just what playing for the club is about.

Kenny has the potential to be far more than a mere cheerleader though.

Venezuela's forward Adalberto Penaranda Maestre (L) and England's defender Jonjoe Kenny compete for the ball during the U-20 World Cup final

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While the attacking talents of Ademola Lookman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who scored the winning goal in the final – have naturally generated the most plaudits throughout England’s triumphant Under-20s World Cup campaign, Kenny remained one of the Young Lions’ most consistently excellent performers of the tournament.

From vital blocks and clearances at the back to a string of dangerous crosses in the opposition half, the 20-year-old looked every inch the modern full-back and a worthy potential successor to Seamus Coleman who is eight-and-a-half years his senior.

Whether Kenny is capable of eventually becoming the Republic of Ireland captain’s long-term replacement in the Everton side remains to be seen.

But with Coleman currently sidelined for a prolonged period following an awful double leg break, there is certainly a slot in the team that is crying out to be filled.

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Seamus Coleman says his new deal is a 'massive boost' in his recovery from a broken leg

Mason Holgate showed promise in his own breakthrough campaign during 2016/17 but while he was often deployed in the right-back berth, his natural instincts seem more suited to those of the centre-back than full-back; and he certainly doesn’t seem to possess the same kind of threat when it comes to providing a supply line of quality balls into the box that Kenny can deliver.

The journey to the top hasn’t come easily for Kenny who has been blooded with loan spells at both Wigan Athletic and Oxford United, but in recent months he has appeared ready and able to knock on the door of first team opportunities.

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Among his colleagues for both club and country, Lookman made the step up from League One Charlton Athletic to the Premier League in January while Dominic Calvert-Lewin climbed six divisions in little over two years following his senior bow at Stalybridge Celtic.

Kenny, whose only first team outing was a 12-minute cameo at Swansea City, had the chance to display his talents to a larger Blues audience in the Mini Derby at Goodison when a 17,000 strong crowd saw him lift the Premier League 2 title trophy.

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With Everton already crowned champions, the game itself was largely a frustrating affair for the hosts who were beaten 2-1 on the night but buoyed by a significant contingent of family and friends in the lower Bullens Road paddock, Kenny was a standout performer.

The combination of Coleman’s injury, the lack of natural alternatives within the squad and the extra opportunities provided by an early entry into European football all add up to a combination that could see Kenny being given more outings.

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Like all of his team-mates returning from South Korea, he is currently on top of the world but when he gets back down to earth, the hard work of building on that promise and trying to nail down a royal blue jersey of his own in the coming months will begin.